15.2

Risk Grade

Excellent

Extreme eastern Colorado plains near Kansas border; flat, very low density, excellent solar irradiance; Xcel transmission; similar to Baca as top-tier eastern plains county; Eads area; minimal opposition

Assessment Snapshot

Population

1406

State Rank

Compliance

12%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified

Zoning Mechanism

Administrative Permit

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No restrictions

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Strongly supportive — extreme eastern plains; depopulating; solar critical to tax base

Basis for Assessment

County records; CO Secretary of State; NREL

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Eric Becker (R, 2026) | Ron Cook (R, 2027) | Delwin Brinkman (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO)

State Permitting Process

Administrative permit; HB 23-1232 CEO review >50 MW; decommissioning bond

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund; Xcel RE procurement

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Two utility-scale projects (~60 MW combined, 2022–24)

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Kiowa County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment